Stop the war is stretching its resources to the limit in the build-up to Saturday's national demonstration for Gaza. Many thanks to everyone who has donated to our Campaign for Gaza Emergency Appeal. The response has been magnificent. But we still urgently need funding to ensure that we can meet the challenge of mobilising for Gaza and sustain all our anti-war work. If you have not donated yet, please consider doing so now. We appreciate contributions of any size, big or small. GO HERE TO DONATE: http://bit.ly/XS9qhx[6]

-------------------------------------------------------2) Gaza: as the carnage escalates so do the protests

At the time of writing the death toll in Gaza from Israel' brual assault was approaching 140, with at least 30 of them children. Close to 1000 people have been injured and hospitals are running out space and supplies. 1500 buildings have been hit by Israeli airstrikes. (See Fact Sheet: Grim statistics behind Gaza grief: http://bit.ly/Q7MtDG[7])

The global protests against Israel's endless barbarity has spread to hundreds of towns and cities, with many planning major demonstrations this weekend, like the national demonstration in London on Saturday 24 November (See: http://bit.ly/UzD4Br[8]).

In Britain, emergency meetings have been held across the country and plans made for transport to bring protesters from outside London to Saturday's demonstration (see http://bit.ly/10seyYw[9]).

Examples of spontaneous action in solidarity with Gaza has seen students walk out of a Leeds school and students at SOAS in London occupy their university (see http://bit.ly/QunPhZ[10]) .

The need for the national demonstration in London to be as large as possible was never clearer. First, to join the worldwide demand that Israel stop its war on Gaza and end its five year siege, which has brought such suffering to 1.7 million people. Second, to show the UK government that its support for Israel's assault on Gaza is not in our name. And most importantly, alongside all the other protests this weekend, to send a message to the people of Gaza under such horrific attack, that they are not alone.

Please join the demonstration, which assembles at Downing Street at 12noon, if you can, and encourage everyone you know to join us. And please use every means you can to publicise the demonstration as widely as possible -- where you live, work, study etc.

NATIONAL DEMONSTRATIONSATURDAY 24 NOVEMBERSTOP ISRAEL'S WAR ON GAZAEND THE SIEGE NOWASSEMBLE 12 NOON DOWNING STREET LONDONMARCH TO ISRAELI EMBASSYCalled by Stop the War, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, CND, BMI. Supported by many other organisations.For more details and updates, SEE: http://bit.ly/UzD4Br[8]

Transport is being organised across the country to bring people from outside London to Saturday's national demonstration. see http://bit.ly/10seyYw[9]

The transport list is updated regularly as we get details. If you are organising transport in your area, please ensure that you give the details to the Stop the War office so we can publicise them on our website: emailoffice@stopwar.org.uk[3] or call 0207 561 9311

Stop the War needs volunteers to help the stewarding of the demonstration on Saturday. We also need volunteers to help in our national office, making placards, distributing leaflets for Saturday, doing mailouts to our supporters. If you would like to be a steward on Saturday or help in our office during the week, please emailoffice@stopwar.org.uk[3] or call 0207 561 9311

-------------------------------------------------------5) Grotesque inversion of reality that makes Israel the victim

The media coverage of Gaza has been an outrage -- with the BBC most supine -- for the most part acting as a stenographer for the Israeli propaganda machine. One columnist in the mainstream media who can be relied on to portray reality is The Guardian's Seumas Milne. His latest article is a must-read. SEEIt's Palestinians who have have the right to defend themselves: http://bit.ly/Ujes27[11]

The Stop the War website, which is getting tens of thousands of visitors every day, is updated regularly with news and comment about Gaza. For alerts when we post new articles on the website, join us on Twitter (http://bit.ly/yyKSFa[12]) or Facebook (http://on.fb.me/hLUFGt[13]).